Gas generating system

Abstract

A gas generating system includes a housing defining an interior, a housing partition dividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion, and at least one opening to enable fluid communication between the second portion and an exterior of the second portion after activation of the gas generating system. The partition is movable within the interior such that a movement of the partition in a first direction causes a flowable material positioned within the second portion to flow through the at least one opening.

1. A gas generating system comprising:
 a housing defining an interior; 
 a movable housing partition dividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion; 
 a flowable gas generant material positioned in the second portion; 
 at least one opening to enable fluid communication between the second portion and an exterior of the second portion after activation of the gas generating system; and 
 a length of collapsible tubing positioned within the interior second portion and defining an enclosure structured for containing a flowable material therein, 
 the enclosure being positioned to enable fluid communication with the at least one opening after activation of the gas generating system. 
 
     
     
       2. The gas generating system of  claim 1  further comprising a flowable coolant material positioned in the second portion. 
     
     
       3. The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein a cavity is formed within the second portion and exterior of the enclosure for containing another flowable material therein. 
     
     
       4. The gas generating system of  claim 1  further comprising an initiator positioned so as to enable fluid communication with the partition after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein products resulting from activation of the initiator produce motion of the partition in the first direction. 
     
     
       5. The gas generating system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one opening formed in the partition to enable fluid communication between the first portion and the second portion after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein the system is structured such that movement of the partition in the a first direction causes flowable material positioned within the second portion to flow through the at least one opening from the second portion into the first portion. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. A gas generating system comprising:
 a housing defining an interior; 
 a movable housing partition dividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion; 
 at least one opening to enable fluid communication between the second portion and an exterior of the second portion after activation of the gas generating system; and 
 a length of collapsible tubing positioned within the interior second portion and defining an enclosure structured for containing a flowable material therein, 
 the enclosure being positioned to enable fluid communication with the at least one opening after activation of the gas generating system, 
 wherein the length of tubing has a first end secured to the partition so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the first end and the partition. 
 
     
     
       8. The gas generating system of  claim 7  further comprising a housing end closure secured to the housing, and wherein the length of tubing has a second end secured to the end closure so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the second end and the end closure. 
     
     
       9. The gas generating system of  claim 7  wherein the housing has at least one first opening formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the interior first portion and an exterior of the housing after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein products resulting from combustion of the gas generant material flow through the at least one first opening to the exterior of the housing. 
     
     
       10. The gas generating system of  claim 9  wherein the housing has at least one second opening formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the interior second portion and the exterior of the housing after activation of the gas generating system. 
     
     
       11. The gas generating system of  claim 10  further comprising another flowable material positioned in the interior second portion, and wherein the motion of the partition in the first direction produces a flow of the second flowable material through the at least one second opening to the exterior of the housing to mix with the products of combustion of the gas generant material. 
     
     
       12. A gas generating system comprising:
 a housing; 
 a partition movable within the housing and dividing an interior of the housing into a first portion and a second portion; 
 an initiator positioned exterior of the housing; and 
 a housing end closure secured to the housing between the initiator and the partition to form a chamber between the initiator and the partition, the end closure including an opening to enable fluid communication between the initiator and the partition, 
 wherein the partition is structured to be movable within the interior such that a movement of a partition in a first direction causes a flowable material positioned within the second portion to flow through the opening and into the chamber. 
 
     
     
       13. The gas generating system of  claim 12  further comprising an opening in the housing to enable fluid communication between the first portion and the exterior of the housing after activation of the gas generating system. 
     
     
       14. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 12 . 
     
     
       15. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 12 . 
     
     
       16. A gas generating system comprising:
 a housing defining an interior; 
 a movable housing partition dividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion, the movable housing partition containing at least one opening formed in the partition to enable fluid communication between the second portion and the housing first portion after activation of the gas generating system; 
 at least one opening formed in the movable housing partition to enable fluid communication between the second portion and an exterior of the second portion after activation of the gas generating system; and 
 a length of collapsible tubing positioned within the interior second portion and defining an enclosure structured for containing a flowable material therein, 
 the enclosure being positioned to enable fluid communication with the at least one opening after activation of the gas generating system and the partition structured to be movable within the interior such that a movement of the partition in a first direction causes a flowable material positioned within the tubing enclosure to flow through the at least one opening.